Closeboard Fencing with Timber Posts
Closeboard Fencing with Timber Posts
Closeboard fencing with timber posts is a traditional and time-proven solution for securing garden boundaries with strength and natural aesthetic appeal. It remains a favourite among homeowners seeking privacy, security, and long-term durability — all while preserving the classic look of real timber. Favoured for both rural and urban properties across Essex and London, this fencing style blends functionality with a timeless visual character.
The structure features overlapping vertical feather-edge boards mounted on horizontal rails, all supported by pressure-treated timber posts. Unlike systems that incorporate concrete elements, this installation uses timber throughout for a consistent and cohesive appearance. When installed with quality materials and correct techniques, closeboard fencing with timber posts offers long-lasting performance with low maintenance requirements.
Understanding the Structure
A closeboard fence is built from individual components rather than pre-assembled panels. This allows for tailored heights, improved strength, and easier repair over time. Key components include:
- Timber Posts: Typically 100mm × 100mm square, pressure-treated for ground contact. These form the core of the support system and are set into concrete foundations to maintain upright stability.
- Arris Rails: Triangular or square horizontal rails fixed between posts. They carry the feather-edge boards and add rigidity to the structure.
- Feather-Edge Boards: Overlapping vertical boards that provide a dense, solid screen. Each board overlaps the next to block visibility and wind passage.
- Gravel Boards: Fitted at the base to protect the feather-edge boards from direct contact with soil. These can be timber or concrete, depending on preference.
All components should be pressure-treated to resist rot, fungal decay, and insect damage — particularly the posts, which are most vulnerable due to their contact with the ground.
Benefits of Timber Posts in Closeboard Fencing
1. Consistent Aesthetic
One of the key advantages of closeboard fencing with timber posts is visual continuity. Every part of the structure is timber, which creates a warm, natural boundary line that integrates beautifully with garden spaces. For homeowners focused on creating a cohesive design, timber posts avoid the contrasting grey tones of concrete and contribute to a soft, organic finish.
2. Lightweight and Flexible
Timber posts are significantly lighter than concrete, making them easier to handle on site, especially in hard-to-reach or sloped areas. This flexibility allows the installer to adjust positioning with ease and ensures accurate alignment without mechanical lifting equipment.
3. Easier Customisation
Unlike fixed panel fencing systems, closeboard fencing is built on-site. This makes it highly adaptable to gardens with unusual layouts, slopes, or multiple elevation changes. Posts can be cut to size, topped with shaped finials, or painted to suit the design of the property.
4. Sustainable Material Choice
Most timber used for fencing today is sourced from managed forests and certified by organisations such as FSC® or PEFC®. When pressure-treated with environmentally approved preservatives, the wood becomes a low-maintenance, sustainable choice. For a deeper look into wood treatment and sustainability, see wood preservation in the context of exterior construction.
Installation Process
Installing closeboard fencing with timber posts requires precision and planning. Each stage is critical to ensure structural longevity and visual appeal. The process typically follows these steps:
- Setting Out: Mark the boundary and measure consistent post intervals. Standard spacing is 2.7m between posts, suitable for two 1.35m arris rails.
- Digging Post Holes: Holes should be at least 600mm deep (or deeper in soft soil), with added depth in exposed locations for wind resistance.
- Setting Posts: Timber posts are placed upright and secured using post-crete or wet-mix concrete. A string line ensures a perfectly straight run.
- Fixing Arris Rails: Rails are attached between posts using galvanised brackets or notches. Additional rails may be used on taller fences for extra support.
- Fitting Gravel Boards: A treated timber gravel board is attached at the base, creating a barrier between the vertical boards and the ground.
- Installing Feather-Edge Boards: Boards are overlapped by 25mm to 30mm and nailed to the rails in a consistent pattern for full coverage.
This approach ensures each section is built to suit the specific conditions of the site and reduces weak points that might occur with prefabricated fencing systems.
Performance and Weather Resistance
When correctly installed, closeboard fencing with timber posts stands up well to the British climate. The overlapping design of the feather-edge boards deflects wind, while the treatment process ensures that moisture, insects, and fungal decay are minimised. Using high-quality fixings, stainless steel nails, and breathable spacing helps prevent warping and increases the lifespan of the fence.
To enhance the structure’s resilience, incorporating pressure-treated gravel boards and adding timber post caps can protect against water absorption from above and below. In areas prone to heavy weather, thicker posts or additional bracing may be recommended.
Maintenance Tips
Regular maintenance helps maximise the life of timber fencing. Fortunately, maintenance is straightforward and cost-effective:
- Apply a protective wood stain every 2–3 years to preserve colour and reinforce resistance to UV damage.
- Inspect for loose boards or fixings seasonally, especially after storms or frost cycles.
- Clear plant growth away from the fence to allow airflow and reduce moisture retention.
- Ensure gravel boards remain in place to prevent splashback from the ground.
Timber posts that are properly treated and maintained can last 15–20 years, with boards replaced individually as needed.
Comparison: Timber vs Concrete Posts
Many homeowners weigh the benefits of using timber posts versus concrete posts. While concrete may last longer under harsh conditions, timber offers unmatched visual harmony and ease of handling. A comparison is helpful:
| Feature | Timber Posts | Concrete Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Natural, seamless look | Industrial appearance |
| Weight | Lightweight, easy to handle | Heavy, may need machinery |
| Durability | 15–20 years with treatment | 25–30 years with minimal upkeep |
| Flexibility | Easy to cut, customise, paint | Fixed shapes, less adaptable |
Ultimately, the decision comes down to visual preference and maintenance tolerance. Many gardens benefit from the traditional warmth of timber, especially when matched with timber gates or other wooden structures.
Design Enhancements
Closeboard fencing can be customised to fit the landscape. Shaped or chamfered tops, integrated trellis panels, and painted or stained finishes offer creative ways to elevate the final appearance. Decorative post caps or finials can add height and refinement, especially on corner posts or garden entrances.
Where continuity is important, closeboard fencing can be paired with larch lap panels or slatted screens to create garden zones, pet enclosures, or feature areas without disrupting the overall style.
Local Considerations and Site Suitability
Across Essex and London, ground conditions can vary significantly — from heavy clay soils in Epping Forest to sandier, free-draining soils near the Thames corridor. Timber post installation can be tailored to suit each site by adjusting hole depth, using sharp sand for drainage, and setting with fast-setting post-crete in wet ground. This flexibility ensures structural integrity, even on uneven or sloped plots.
For boundaries adjacent to roads or footpaths, planning regulations may limit fence height to 1 metre. Elsewhere, fencing up to 2 metres typically does not require permission. Checking local guidance ensures compliance and avoids neighbour disputes.
The Role of Timber in Garden Design
Timber is one of the most versatile natural materials in landscaping. It complements lawns, decking, raised beds, and pergolas. It brings visual warmth and a tactile finish that hard materials like concrete or metal can’t match. According to the Wikipedia article on wood, its natural grain, texture, and ability to age gracefully make timber a design staple in garden construction.
Using closeboard fencing with timber posts reinforces that design philosophy. It provides structure and privacy while enhancing the natural beauty of the garden. When treated and installed correctly, it becomes a lasting feature that adds real value and presence to outdoor space.
